John Cusack. Nicolas Cage. During the 1990s, these two lived like movie star kings. Then their glorious reign of critical praise and boffo box office started to become a little more spotty around the early 2000s, but they hung in there as best they could. A decade later, we’ve come to THE FROZEN GROUND trailer (below) and I think we can safely say their kingdoms have fallen.

I have no idea where to begin with this one. The film itself could be a decent little serial killer thriller, but the trailer plays like a bad fan edit. From choppy jump cuts to heavy handed musical cues, the whole thing lacks focus on the story. It doesn't help the dialogue and acting feel really off from everyone but maybe Cusack. Sure, Cage is okay, but he also seems kind of bored. How many movies are we going to watch where he shouts “Don’t f*ck with me!” at women while manhandling them? The guy can do that stuff in his sleep while wearing a bear suit.

Nevertheless, I’m going to try to keep an open mind about this one. The cinematography looks great, Cage may be concealing another amazingly gonzo performance not present in trailer, and I like that Cusack is stretching acting chops to play such a twisted character. Also, Vanessa Hudgens does some stripping, which helps.

The film is written/directed by Scott Walker and co-stars Radha Mitchell, Dean Norris, Jodi Lynn O'Keefe and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Lions Gate is distributing, but no release date has been announced. Check out the synopsis and trailer below.

An Alaska State Trooper partners with a young woman who escaped the clutches of serial killer Robert Hansen to bring the murderer to justice. Based on actual events.

Extra Tidbit:

You younger cats may prefer Ms. Hudgens, but I'm a Radha Mitchell man through and through.